Cycling to work halves risk of early death — if you aren’t run over
Eleanor Hayward, Health Editor THE TIMES • July 17, 2024
Commuting by bike was associated with a 47 per cent lower risk of death from any cause and a 51 per cent lower risk of dying from cancer
Cycling to work halves the risk of early death from illnesses including cancer and heart disease — but only if you can avoid getting run over on the commute.
A new study involving workers in the UK found that those who travelled by bike lived longer and were less likely to need hospital treatment for any illness.
One rather obvious hazard was that cyclists were twice as likely to be admitted to hospital after a road traffic collision as people who drove or took the train to work.
The research, the largest of its kind, involved 82,000 people aged 16 to 74 who provided information about how they got to work for the Scottish census. They were followed up between 2001 and 2018 to monitor any hospital admissions, drug prescriptions or deaths.
Commuting by bike was associated with a 47 per cent lower risk of death from any cause and a 51 per cent lower risk of dying from cancer. Cycling also lowers the risk of needing a hospital admission by 10 per cent and the chance of needing treatment for heart disease by 24 per cent.
It also had vast benefits for mental health. Over the follow-up period, cyclists were 20 per cent less likely to be prescribed psychiatric drugs such as antidepressants compared to “inactive” commuters. The only downside was the increased risk of road traffic accidents — with hospitalisations following crashes twice as likely to affect cyclists.
Overall there were 1,363 cyclists in the study, most of whom travelled less than 5km (3 miles) each way to work. Over the follow-up period of nearly two decades, some 83 of these cyclists were admitted to hospital following a traffic accident.
he study also examined the benefits of walking to work, finding that this slightly lowered the risk of death or hospitalisation but not to as great an extent as cycling.
The research, published in the medical journal BMJ Public Health, was led by Catherine Friel, Dr David Walsh and Bruce Whyte, from the University of Glasgow.
The team said their findings “provide direct evidence of the health benefits of active commuting”, which supports policy efforts to encourage people to cycle to work. But they noted: “Our finding that cyclist commuters have twice the risk of being a road traffic casualty compared with non-active commuters reinforces the need for safer cycling infrastructure.”
The research concluded: “This study strengthens the evidence that active commuting has population-level health benefits and can contribute to reduced morbidity and mortality. That cyclist and pedestrian commuting is associated with lower risks of being prescribed medication for poor mental health is an important finding.
“This study has wider global relevance to efforts to reduce carbon emissions and to shift to more active and sustainable travel modes.”
The latest UK transport statistics show that less than 5 per cent of people cycle to work. Some 68 per cent of people usually travel to work by car, while 11 per cent walk, nine per cent take the train and six per cent take the bus.
Cycling increased during the pandemic, particularly in cities such as London, which have made investments in cycle lanes. Data from the Department for Transport shows that cycling activity on roads fell 5 per cent year-on-year in the 12 months to September 2023, although it is still 3 per cent up on pre-pandemic levels.
The May Flyer Double 100 (also known as the SWRC May Flyer) is a long-standing cycling sportive in the UK. It is organised by the South Western Road Club (SWRC) and has been running for over 25 years. The "Double 100" refers to the event's signature offering of two distinct route options for participants: The Flyer: A 100-kilometre (approx. 62-mile) route that meanders through the North Downs and Surrey Hills. The Flyer Challenge: A 100-mile (approx. 162-kilometre) route that crosses the North Downs into West Sussex and back. Event Details Next Event Date: Sunday, 17th May 2026. Start/Finish Location: Cobham Village Hall, Surrey. Terrain: Scenic but challenging, featuring notable climbs like Staple Lane, Pitch Hill, and Combe Bottom. Entry: Limited to 500 riders, with registration typically available through platforms like SiEntries. Charity: All profits from the event are donated to local charities. https://www.swrc.org.uk/may-flyer/about-the-may-flyer
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